The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-30
AN ADMINISTRATION NOVEL.

this book will perhaps not alter the general
impression that the Michigan metropolis, un-
like some other Western cities that could be
named, is hardly to be regarded as an intel
lectual center. Nevertheless, it must be ad-
mitted that the work in question contains
some unique and original features, the like of
which no author bound by the traditions and
limitations of conservative "down-East'
could conceive. The story, if not exactly the
long-looked- for American novel, is at least
one that could not have been written outside
of America, since it deals with life in the gov
eminent departments at Washington. 1t
processes to be by zone of 'em," and its extreme
realism indicates that the profession is no
pretense. So realistic is it that it has the
effect of biography, and ought to delight the
soul of Mr.. William Dean Howells, whose
own works, unimaginative they are, can
not in that particular hold candle to it.
The heroine of the tale, one Margaret
Wayland," has passed through a varied career
before she is introduced to the reader. She
has been a shop-girl, a teacher, temperance
lecturer, q lawyer and, finally, political
stump speaker having chanpioned the cause
of Mr. Cleveland in the late presidential CAM
paign. She is, in fact, if accounts are to be
believed, the long-looked-for person who
elected Mr.. Cleveland. One of her female
friends, indeed, is 50 convinced of this that
she assures Margaret that she ought to die
garet, however, finds sufficient occupation for
seven months in getting place for herself in
the Treasury Department. Succeeding in
this, she turns her attention to her friends
Winston" a gentleman whom she had met
during her political career DESTROYS of secur-
ing the Senate's confirmation Of his appoint
ment as Governor of far-away Territory,
half Securing the cooperation of her
fellow-clerk, the widow Ellie Trip, and also
of the wife of another Influential Treasury
clerk, they proceed to interview Senators,
Senators, and to pull wires generally. This
combined force had its effect in overcoming
the strong opposition to Winston, and he is
speedily confirmed. In the meantime and
later, while the new appointee is waiting to
push some legislation relative to his Territory,
the relations between the two become quite
lover-like. It does not appear that he ever
formally requests the gift of Miss Wayland's
~
assures her at one time that he shall never
marry without the consent of his married
daughter and that, he feels sure, he cannot
obtain. Miss Wayland, however, not IN
naturally, regards this obstacle as trivial, and
makes no secret of her expectation of becom-
ing Mrs Colonel Winston. Having reached
this conclusion she is, as might be supposed,
greatly shocked learning through the
another woman. AS soon as she rallies from
the blow she addresses most remarkable
letter to President Cleveland, the opening
sentence of which reads thus Zone week
ago Yesterday for the third time in less than
twenty years, God permitted another woman
to come between me and happiness" The
burden of the epistle is that to save her life
or reason she may have to engage in public
work again, and she wishes the President to
understand that should she do so it will not
be in defiance of the conservative views he
holds in regard to woman on the political
platform, but Gin compliance with the resist
Sc f.to Eo4
does not demand this course-Margaret saving
herself from madness by investigating the
mystery of the Colonels sudden marriage In
due time she discovered to her own satisfac-
against than SHINING; that the designing wom-
an, who in her early days had been circus
rider, had left her first husband on his account,
and that to avoid scandal which might reflect
become connected. he had been forced un-
to marry her. This discovery being
made, she writes to Winston and assures him
of her forgiveness. Finally, after much
mental agony on the part of the heroine, and
the hero, or villain, as one may
choose to call hinl, the steamship on which
Mrs. Winston is travelling to join her husband
blows up and leaves her in watery grave.
The last scene is tableau representing Win
ston returning, humble and repentant, to
Margaret, who stands awaiting him at the
head of the stairs with open arms. Inter
spersed in the history of these oc-
currences are Margaret's views on a
variety of topics, from love and marriage
to civil-service reform, and the Presidents
moral character. Her opinion in relation to